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Specific Cancers (specific + cancers)
Selected AbstractsReview article: malignancy on thiopurine treatment with special reference to inflammatory bowel diseaseALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 2 2010M. A. Smith Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 119,130 Summary Background, Immunosuppression is a risk factor for carcinogenesis. Thiopurines specifically contribute to this. As thiopurines are used more aggressively in the treatment of IBD, it is likely that we will see more thiopurine-related malignancy. Aim, To review the literature, exploring how immunosuppression, thiopurines specifically, might cause cancer and which malignancies occur in practice, placing specific emphasis on IBD cohorts. Methods, Search terms included ,malignancy',cancer',azathioprine',mercaptopurine',tioguanine (thioguanine)',thiopurine' and ,inflammatory bowel disease',Crohn's disease',ulcerative colitis'. We also searched for specific cancers (lymphoma, colorectal cancer, skin cancer, cervical cancer) and reviewed the reference lists of the articles detected. Results, Immunosuppression is associated with an increased risk of cancer. Thiopurines are associated with specific additional risks. In IBD cohorts, very few thiopurine-related malignancies have been reported. However, studies suggest a relative risk of 4,5 for lymphoma. This still translates into a low actual risk, (one extra lymphoma in every 300,1400 years of thiopurine treatment). Conclusions, Whilst we must be aware of this risk and counsel our patients appropriately, thiopurines remain a mainstay of IBD therapy. We present practical advice aimed at minimizing our patients' risk of developing malignancy, whilst optimizing the benefits that thiopurines can provide. [source] Skin cancer and Parkinson's disease,MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 2 2010Joaquim J. Ferreira MD Abstract The report of an increased frequency of melanoma during the clinical development of rasagiline prompted a renewed interest in a possible association between skin cancer and Parkinson's disease (PD). The evaluation of this risk ended in a recommendation to perform a periodic dermatological examination as a follow-up measure of their treatment. The recognition of this safety concern lead to the need to clarify if the risk of skin cancer is indeed associated with PD and if levodopa or other anti-parkinsonian drugs might contribute to increase such risk. To answer these questions, we critically reviewed all clinical studies available concerning the association between skin cancer and PD. We found 26 studies on cancer occurrence in PD. The best data available suggest the risk of cancer is reduced in PD patients. However, specific cancers like thyroid and the female breast were reported at higher-than-expected rates. Additionally, it was suggested that PD patients have a higher frequency of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers than the general population. The data on non-melanoma skin cancer are less robust than the data on melanoma. Causal factors remain unknown. Due to the weak association between skin cancer and PD, no robust recommendation can be made regarding the need for periodic dermatological screening. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society [source] Potential health effects from non-specific stimulation of the immune function in early age: The example of BCG vaccinationPEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2008Marie-Claude Rousseau There is increasing, but still inconsistent evidence that vaccinations and childhood infections may play a role in the normal maturation of the immune system, and in the development and balance of immune regulatory pathways, both of which might impact health later in life. This review covers the epidemiological evidence regarding the role of Bacillus Calmette,Guérin (BCG) vaccination on the following inflammatory or autoimmune diseases: asthma and allergic diseases, Crohn's disease (CD), insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), and specific cancers. The literature is more comprehensive for asthma and allergic diseases, with 16 studies reporting the absence of an association while seven rather suggest a protective effect of BCG. We found insufficient evidence on CD to conclude at this point. Overall, the evidence for IDDM based on four studies leans towards no association, although some effects were observed in population subsets. Five epidemiological investigations provide evidence on a possible link with cancer incidence or mortality at various sites, with indications of both increased and decreased risks. Given the potential public health implications, it is imperative to acquire a better understanding of how BCG vaccination could influence the development of such chronic health conditions in the population. [source] A cohort mortality study of chemical laboratory workers at Department of Energy Nuclear Plants,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 9 2008Travis Kubale PhD Abstract Objective This study evaluates the mortality experience of 6,157 chemical laboratory workers employed at United States Department of Energy facilities. Methods All cause, all cancer and cause-specific standardized mortality ratios were calculated. Cox regression analyses were conducted to further evaluate the relation between chemical exposure and mortality risk due to selected cancers. Results The mortality due to all causes combined and all cancers combined were below expectation for the cohort. There were no statistically significant elevations reported among males for any specific cancer or non-cancer outcome. There no statistically significant elevations among females for any specific non-cancer and most specific cancers; however, multiple myeloma deaths were significantly elevated (SMR,=,3.56; 95% CI,=,1.43,7.33; number of observed deaths, n,=,7). Statistically significant elevations were seen among workers employed 20+ years for leukemia using both 2- and 5-year lag periods. Also, a statistically significant positive trend of elevated lung cancer mortality with increasing employment duration was seen using both 5- and 10-year lags. A similar trend was seen for smoking related cancers among men. Conclusion While lymphatic and hematopoietic cancer mortality was below expectation, a significant elevation of multiple myeloma deaths among females and an elevation of leukemia among workers employed 20+ years (possibly due to radiation and benzene exposure) were observed. A NIOSH case,control study is underway to examine more closely the relation between multiple myeloma and a variety of chemical exposures among workers employed at the Oak Ridge K-25 facility. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:656,667, 2008. Published 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] An overview of cancer and beliefs about the disease in Indigenous people of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 2 2009Shaouli Shahid Abstract Objective: Cancer among Indigenous populations in the developed world appears to have increased over past few decades. This article explores issues related to cancer among the Indigenous populations of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US and examines variations in the epidemiology, Indigenous peoples' perceptions about cancer and potential effects on care-seeking behaviour. Methods: A search of peer-reviewed journal articles, government reports, published and unpublished theses and other grey literature was undertaken using electronic databases and citation snowballing. Both epidemiological and qualitative studies were included. Results: Cancer in Indigenous populations in these four countries is characterised by high incidence and mortality rates for specific cancers and lower survival rates as a result of late diagnosis, lower participation and poorer compliance with treatment. A higher prevalence of many cancer risk factors occurs across these populations. Fear of death, fatalism, payback, shame and other spiritual and cultural issues are reported in the few qualitative studies examining Indigenous beliefs and understanding of cancer which undoubtedly influences participation in cancer screening and treatment. Conclusions and implications: The holistic approach (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) to healing and well-being, and the concept that individual, family and community are inseparable underpin Indigenous care-seeking behaviour. Further community-based research is needed to increase understanding of the needs of Indigenous people with cancer, and to guide policy and practice towards more supportive and effective care. [source] Cancer incidence and mortality in a New Zealand community potentially exposed to 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin from 2, 4, 5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid manufactureAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 1 2007Deborah Read Objective: To investigate whether the rates of all cancers and four cancers (soft tissue sarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia) associated with dioxin exposure are higher in New Plymouth, the site of a former 2, 4, 5-T manufacturing plant, than for the rest of New Zealand. Methods: Analysis of 1970,2001 cancer data from the New Zealand Cancer Registry was undertaken for New Plymouth and the rest of New Zealand. Results: There is no evidence of an increased cancer risk apart from one period (1970-74), which falls partly outside the 1962,1987 manufacturing period if 10-year latency is assumed. For 1970-74, there was an elevated risk for all cancer incidence (SIR=111, 95% CI 104,119), and for two of the four specific cancers that are associated with dioxin exposure (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma SIR=175, 95% CI 121,246 and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia SIR=251, 95% CI 144,408). Conclusions and Implications: The results do not suggest an increased cancer risk among the New Plymouth population related to the period of 2, 4, 5-T manufacture, although the study's limitations mean the possibility of an undetectable small elevation in cancer risk cannot be excluded. Although TCDD exposure in the first few years of 2, 4, 5-T manufacture may have contributed to cancer incidence in 1970-74, unknown exposure(s) before the start of 2, 4, 5-T manufacture and chance are also possible explanations. [source] Cancer screening practices of adult survivors of retinoblastoma at risk of second cancersCANCER, Issue 2 2008Victoria Sheen BA Abstract BACKGROUND. The aim of the current study was to investigate the pattern of cancer screening behavior in adult retinoblastoma survivors, who are at high risk of developing second cancers. METHODS. Self-reported cancer screening practices were investigated in a cohort of retinoblastoma survivors to evaluate whether they were receiving adequate screening for specific cancers and compare these rates with those of other adult survivors of childhood cancer and the general population. The prevalence of breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, mammography, Papanicolaou (Pap) test, testicular self-examination, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scanning was determined from computer-aided telephone interviews with 836 retinoblastoma survivors aged >18 years. RESULTS. Among female survivors, 87% had a Pap test within the past 2 years, and 76% of females age >40 years reported having a mammogram within the past 2 years; 17.4% of male survivors had performed monthly testicular self-examinations. A significantly higher proportion of hereditary compared with nonhereditary survivors reported having undergone an MRI or CT scan in the past 5 years. Higher education, greater contact with the medical care system, and having a second cancer were found to be associated positively with most screening practices. Cancer screening practices reported by retinoblastoma survivors were similar to national screening rates for breast, cervical, and testicular cancer. CONCLUSIONS. To the authors' knowledge, the current study provides the first report of cancer screening practices of retinoblastoma survivors. Survivors of hereditary retinoblastoma should be encouraged to maintain, if not increase, their current screening practices to ensure early detection of second cancers in this high-risk population. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society. [source] | ||||||||||